While commending successive governments for continuing to recognize the efforts of farmers through the continuous celebration of the National Farmers’ Day each year, stakeholders have raised concerns about the criteria for selecting farmers for the awards and ultimately, awards the nominees.
Speaking to A1 Radio in Wa, the Executive Director of the Centre for Women in Agriculture and Nutrition (CWAN), a Non-governmental Organisation based in the Upper West Region, Emmanuel Wullingdool explained that the current basis for awarding farmers is unfair as farmers across the country do not have equal access to farm inputs and other agricultural services.
Mr. Wullingdool added that in certain areas of the country, it is easier for farmers to access inputs and services as compared to their colleagues in other areas and so awarding those who have had improved access to certain facilities against persons or farmers who have not had the same poses some serious concerns about the fairness of the awards.
Mr. Wullingdool suggested that instead of the current reward system, the government should consider setting standardized pricing systems for grains, cereals and vegetables. He explained that once that is done, coupled with improved access to inputs and services, it will encourage farmers to invest more in their farms.
“If you look at the cocoa industry, what we know is that before they start with the season, government comes out to announce a minimum price they will be buying a tonne of cocoa. Can we say the same about maize? We have many people who go into maize farming. At the beginning of the year, they are not clear on what the price of a bag would go for at harvest. They put in so much, and at the end of the year, prices are left to market forces; demand and supply,” he explained.
To help farmers become successful, and be better placed to compete for awards, the Executive Director of CWAN explained that government should also invest in providing standardized weighing systems that will allow farmers across the country to have a similar weight of food produce, with similar quality for similar prices.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz| Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
